Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to move around the house whenever it wants is an excellent method to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it is required to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to go and come as they please without having to open the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet inside the home when you are away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from entering.
It is important to take measurements of the door to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are various sizes available. It is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the proper size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it could be too large or too small and your cat may be unable to use it.
Before you take any action but use a ruler to measure the length of the door in a variety of places along its edge. Also, you should take measurements of the height of the door in a few places. This is because doors that are too high could cause your cat to perform an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they need to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for assistance in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and help you decide on the size of flap you should purchase.
Mark out the shape of the hole on the door once you have the measurements. This will give you a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making a mistake that could cost you money in the future!
Make sure that you put the hole in the right position. If you're installing a cat flap to a patio door it is vital that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could cause leakage or issues with the seal.
It is recommended to leave the task of installing the cat flap onto glass doors to an experienced glazier. It can be difficult to fit the cat flap onto the glass pane and you could be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want, without having to leave him home alone. It can also help to keep draughts out of your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!
If you own a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. These types of doors are often made of different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is different as well. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could cause warranty issues.
In general, these kinds of doors are built to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, however they can be difficult to fit an animal flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
To make sure that your cat can get through the door, you'll have to measure their height. This is easier when they're asleep or calm, so that they don't move around too often. Once you know their height and weight, you can determine the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. You can then mark this spot on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is composed of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to engage a glazier when installing your cat flap into a pane of glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat. This will be less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good cat flap should come with a template that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole will be. If it doesn't, you could create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, you can utilize your spirit level to ensure that it is horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to properly fit into the door and prevent it from being able to slide open or closed.
Then, you can employ a jigsaw for cutting out the design that is on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such If not, ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once you have the hole cut out and the flap section is in place, put it against it and then push it open to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it is bound at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to fix this.
Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes within the door you plan to cut through. The jigsaw may damage them. Also, be aware of any handles, or other fittings on the door that must be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items during the process.
Most people who install a cat flap themselves will have the standard solid uPVC door and will not be dealing with any of these problems. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that isn't easily removed, it will make the job.
It is always advisable to seek professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs because it is essential to do them right to avoid any potential problems in the future. It is crucial to get it right as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, you can place the flap to see whether it opens and is able to fit. If you spot any areas that stick or catch, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens without issue. Make sure that the flap is perfectly flush with the door.
If your tool doesn't have an example, you could use tracing paper that is thin, such as a piece of paper or Acetate. Place the paper against the door and draw the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark out four screw holes in the corners of the flap. These will be the screw points you'll use to fit the flap into the correct position.
The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If the door is made of GRP or composite, it can be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it is recommended that you hire an expert. They will also be able determine if your door is suitable to install an animal flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, you need to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to these doors may make it impossible to honor the warranty. If cat flap cost decide to tackle the work yourself, bear in mind that this can be a messy job and even dangerous.
When you have composite doors, you'll usually need to use a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than simply through the GRP. This can be a dangerous job, and you'll require extra care to not damage the door. It is important to note that it's much more difficult to make holes in door glass than a uPVC door or solid wood doors.